During public comment at the Aug. 6 work session, Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith and Public Health Director Danielle Potamajeski marked the second anniversary of the county’s Community Violence Intervention (CVI) program and introduced a new outreach worker.
"We're celebrating the second year of the Community Violence Intervention Program," Rachel Zimmerman Smith said, and she credited Jess Lang (program coordinator) and collaborators for reductions in shots-fired incidents reported in local coverage. Danielle Potamajeski announced the hiring of Marcus Brooks as the CVI outreach worker and invited him to introduce himself.
Marcus Brooks told the board, "Hello, board. My name is Marcus Brooks. I am a CBI outreach worker. I am originally from Iowa City. Transitioning from Linn County Detention Center as a youth counselor, and I'm happy to be here today." County staff said CVI has been active for more than three years (with a formal coordinator in place since June 2023) and highlighted partnerships between the county attorney’s office and public health. There was no board action required during the public-comment segment.